The residents were asked to deposit outstanding amount ranging between Rs 28 lakh and Rs 35 lakh for consuming domestic electricity supply for non-domestic purpose of running common facilities such as lifts, water motors and others.

In their petition moved on Monday, these associations have quoted a ruling of the Kerela State Electricity Regulatory Commission as per which if the common facilities are used exclusively by domestic consumers, then domestic tariff shall be applicable irrespective of the percentage of connected load.

The power supplier had recently slapped arrear bills asking the condominiums to pay at the rate of commercial rates effective from the year 2006 for electricity consumed on common facilities including

lifts, street lights illuminating common areas like gardens, swimming pools, water boosting pumps and motors for fire fighting and others.

The power supplier’s reasoning is that the condos crossed 15 per cent of their usage and hence were liable to be slapped electricity charges at higher non-domestic tariff (bulk connection category) of Rs 4.09 per unit as against domestic rates of Rs 3.50.

The petition stated that the staff of DHBVN carried out

surveys in the recent years and had verified that the terms and conditions mentioned in the circular were being met.

“There is no complaint of any nature what-so-ever that the electricity is being diverted or being put to such use as would be out of the purview of the sale circular,” the petition stated.

“It has always been found to be in order and the utilization has been for the use of domestic and residential purposes for the benefit of the residents of the locality.”

The latest recipients of the recovery memos from the Nigam include Beverly Park - I &II Condominium.

A gated community of 158 apartments, Beverly Park II Condominium has received a recovery memo of Rs 31.50. lakh.